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Himara, limited electricity: Where did Damian Gjiknuri's 20 million euros for the network in Himara go?! Another 2 million are being thrown away...

2025-08-25 13:16:44Investigim SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Damian Gjiknuri

In 2016, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy spent a full 20 million euros on the electricity network from Orikumi to Himara, while at the time it was trumpeted that "this reform will bring stability and uninterrupted supply."

The money was spent through tenders in the so-called "Italian cooperation in the Himara area", while after this time the residents and even the majority itself have admitted that there were problems.

The coastal area, but also the villages of Himara on the Vlora River, have often complained about constant interruptions in electricity supply, despite tens of millions of euros being spent. The reform seems to have failed, just as the water or sewage reform failed.

And, in this whole situation, the Distribution System Operator, Vlora branch, is preparing another new tender. It will rebuild the network in the entire area from scratch! But, where did Gjiknuri's money go?! Isn't there a real investigation needed for the failure of this whole "reform"?!

Himara, limited electricity: Where did Damian Gjiknuri's 20 million euros

Facsimile: Tender announcement by the OSSH in 2025, where 2 million euros have been allocated for the energy network in Himara

The Distribution System Operator itself, which was once controlled by Damian Gjiknuri, during his time as Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, has opened a new tender.

According to documents available to VoxNews, the object of the procurement procedure is “construction of the MV/HV network outside the Italian cooperation in the Himara area”. The tender value is 199,747,032 lekë, or over 2 million euros. An electricity distribution network and related services are required for this procedure.

But, wasn't the network built with "Italian cooperation"?! Of course it was, since it is enough to open the documents at the ministry or even at OSHEE or its subsidiary OSSH and it will be understood that a full 20 million euros have been invested in this network that is being reinvested.

Himara, limited electricity: Where did Damian Gjiknuri's 20 million euros
In the photo: The website of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, where in 2016 former Minister Gjiknuri said that 20 million euros were invested in Himara

In 2016, according to research conducted by VoxNews, Damian Gjiknuri, in his position as Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, was to deliver a long speech in Saranda.

"We are not happy that during the tourist season, due to the loads, the electricity system does not keep up with the depreciated lines. Practically, we have secured the funds, we have 10 million euros from the Italian Cooperation and there are another 10 million euros from the company itself with which we will complete the entire coastal section," said Gjiknuri.

Himara, limited electricity: Where did Damian Gjiknuri's 20 million euros
In the photo: The website of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, where in 2016 former Minister Gjiknuri said that 20 million euros were invested in Himara

In December 2016, he added that work would begin in February 2017 on the construction of two very powerful substations, one in Orikum and one in Himara, which is a complementary part of the entire south. “These will ensure that the entire Ionian coast, as mentioned before, an extraordinary potential from all directions and an area with many traditions that is worth visiting, has the energy infrastructure it deserves,” he asserted.

Himara, limited electricity: Where did Damian Gjiknuri's 20 million euros
In the photo: The place where Rama had lunch was left without electricity and the residents' complaints

But has there been continuous power on the coast? Everyone, vacationers and locals alike, complain about long power outages on the coast or even in villages.

Himara, limited electricity: Where did Damian Gjiknuri's 20 million euros
In the photo: The place where Rama had lunch was left without electricity and the residents' complaints

"In Himara, the lights go out every day, perhaps to show foreign tourists that this phenomenon is part of 'Albanian authenticity'. We don't want lights in Himara, it's better to be without electricity and water than to be annoyed by the Himara Municipality administration that is doing so much to show Authenticity," local residents said a few months ago, practically in the year 2025.

Meanwhile, in the summer of 2024 there was another bombshell news; in the bar where Rama had lunch, the lights went out! A year ago, the prime minister held a meeting with supporters in a bar by the sea in Himara. At the moment he was in the bar, the lights were on. But they were turned off as soon as he went out the door. The mayor himself admitted that the electricity was cut off in that area as soon as the PM left.

Himara, limited electricity: Where did Damian Gjiknuri's 20 million euros
In the photo: The status of MP Vullnet Sinaj in 2018, where he complains about the lack of electricity in Himara

Meanwhile, other politicians have witnessed the failed energy reform in Himara. MP Vullnet Sinaj made a long status in 2018, complaining that “the wind blows in Himara, the lights go out in Kuç…Terbaç…Kotë…. Smokthinë…Sevaster…Gorrisht….Armen…Selenica”.

"This statement became the leitmotif of the concerns of the residents of the Vlora River Zone throughout my entire campaign for parliamentary candidacy, but also afterwards, during my meetings in the area. I reflected each line with the relevant images of the transmission wires, insulators and transformation cabins, which had not been repaired since the 1970s," said Sinaj.

But, wasn't 20 million euros thrown away by Gjiknuri, who was re-elected along with Sinaj as an MP in 2025?! Even more so, since the same majority is allocating another 2 million euros to fix the mistakes made at the time.

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This article is exclusive to VoxNews, and is copyrighted under Law No. 35/2016, "On Copyright and Related Rights". The article may be republished by other media only by citing VoxNews and placing the source link at the end, otherwise any violator will be held liable under Article 178 of Law No. 35/2016.

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